Preview: Italians Top Team in Session 9

Written by Amanda Turner for International Gymnast Magazine | Tuesday, 19 October 2010 08:58

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Competition continues in Subdivision 9, with Austria, Turkey, Belgium, Taipei, Mixed Group 2 and Italy.

Italy headlines the session, and can shake up the standings in several events.


Italy's Matteo Morandi

Austria: Floor Exercise

Austria was 35th at the 2006 Worlds, and would be need to show immense improvement to jump into the top 24. The team is coached by Czech Petr Koudela, and top gymnast Fabian Leimhlehner was 35th in the all-around qualifications in 2009.

Turkey: Pommel Horse

Turkey was 36th at the 2006 Worlds, right behind Austria. Umit Samiloglu was a surprise gold medal winner on high bar at the 2007 Moscow World Stars, and last month finished fifth at the World Cup in Ostrava.

Belgium: Still Rings

Belgium did not send a full team to the 2006 Worlds, but has six gymnasts on the floor in Rotterdam. The Dutch neighbor also has a shot at its first world medal with Donna-Donny Truyens on pommel horse.

Taipei: Vault

The Taiwanese start on vault, where the nation won its only world medal in gymnastics: a silver from Feng Chih Chang in 1993. No Taiwanese plan two vaults in Rotterdam, however. Taipei was 29th at the 2006 Worlds.

Mixed Group 2: Parallel Bars

Mixed Group 2 includes Tunisia's Wajdi Bouallegue, who is hoping to become the first African gymnast to qualify for an event final since Egyptian Walid Elderiny in 2001. The floor exercise standout is a frequent World Cup participant, and won the gold at the 2007 Ghent World Cup.

Italy: High Bar

Italy starts on high bar, but 2004 Olympic champion Igor Cassina is taking a break this year to prepare for 2012. Italy was 15th in 2006 but shot up to ninth in 2007. Italy also has potential still rings finalists in Matteo Morandi and Matteo Angioletti.

Next Up: : the final subdivision with Germany, Puerto Rico, Israel, Ukraine and Uzbekistan!

Chat with other fans as you follow IG Publisher Paul Ziert's live commentary from the Ahoy Arena, broadcast simultaneously on IG's official Facebook Page and Twitter account!

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